Bottling-machine.



No. 643,9I5. Patented Feb. y20, |900.

P. w. 'sH|ELns.

BTTLING MACHINE. (Application filed July 14, 1899.)

(No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet l,

wrrNEssEs: m 'mvEn M Cgi/7W @M Q//L/ fj@ gwdg/U@ Patented nu. 2o, |900.

s. D L E H s w P. m.. 9, 3 4 6 D. N

BUTTLING MACHINE.

(Applination med July 14, 1899.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

WITNESSES:

I IV) t t 1H: Norms PETERS cn. moruuwo.. wAsHnNGYoN, ny c.

No. 643,9!5. 1 I Patented Feb. 20, IQGO.

' P. W. SHIELDS.

BOTTLING MACHINE.

Application led July 14, 1899.)

(vNo Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

1n: Nonms mins co.. PHoroLn'HafwAS-HNGTON. n. c.

. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PATRICK W. SIIIELDS, OF HMESTEAD, PENNSYLVANIA.

BOTTLING-NIACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forrnngpart of Letters Patent No. 643,915, dated February20, 1900.

Application filed July 14, 1899. Serial No. 723,819. (No model.)

1'0 LLM zal/tom, it may 0071/007172:

Beit known that I, PATRICK W. SHIELDs, of Homestead, in the county ofAllegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new anduseful Improvement in Bottling- Machines, of which improvement thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to machines for filling bottles with aeratedwaters, either with or without a desired proportion of syrup, andclosing them by a stopper when iilled; and its object is to simplify andperfect the construction and facilitate and expedite the operation ofmachines of the general class or type referred to.

The improvement claimed is hereinafter fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 i a front View in elevation of abottling-machine illustrating an application of my invention; Fig. 2, aside View of the same; Figs. and 4, horizontal sections on the lines a aand Z) b, respectively, of Fig. 1; Fig. 5, a partial Vertical section onthe line c c of Fig. 4; Fig. 6, a similar section on the line d d ofFig. 3; Fig. 7, a partial section through the plunger of the syrup-pump,taken at right angles to Fig. 6; Fig. 8, a partial vertical section onthe line c e of Fig. 3; Fig. 9, a front view iu elevation of abottling-machine, illustrating a structural modilication of myinvention; Fig. 10, a side view of the same; Fig. 11, a plan or topview; and Figs. 12 and 13 vertical sections at the lines f f and g g,respectively, ofFig. 9.

In the practice of my invention I provide a table 1,which is supportedon legs or standards 2 and which carries a removable bed or base plate3, which supports the major part of the operative mechanism. Twovertical posts or standards 4 4 are xed at their lower ends to thebed-plate 3 and are connected at top by a yoke or brace 5, each of saidposts carrying a stop-collar 6, which is iXed adj ustably upon it by aset-screw 7. Two operating-rods 8 8 are fitted to slide vertically inguides 9 9 on the bed-plate and are connected near their upper ends bycross-bar 10, having a lateral arm or projection 11. The operating-rods8 slide freely through openings in a U-shaped guide-brace 12, dependingfrom the lower side of the bed-plate, and are connected at bottom to across-bar 13, which is coupled by a link 14 to a treadle 15, fixed uponshaft 16, journaled in the standards 2 of the table. Helical springs 1717 are connected at their opposite ends to the cross-bar 13 and to thetable 1, respectively, the tendency of said springs being to bring thecross-bar and operatingrods tothe normal position shown in Fig. 1.

A collar 18 is fixed upon each of the operating-rods 8, and acarrier-block 19, which is fitted freely on the rods 8, is supported onthe collars 1S. A cross-bar 20, which is also fitted freely on the rods8,normally abuts against the stop-collars 6 of the posts 4, and helicalsprings 21 21 are interposed between and bear against the cross-bar 20and carrier-block 19. A syrup-pump 22, which is provided with a suitablepiston or plunger 23 and is connected by a flexible hose 24 with asource of syrupsupply, is connected to and traverses with thecarrier-block 1 9. Communication between the supply-hose 24 and thesyrup-pump 22 is controlled by an inlet-valve 25, and a delivery valve26 controls communication between the syrup-pump and a delivery-chamber27, from which chamber a passage 28 leads into a de livery or dischargepassage 29, formed in a presser 30, which is fixed centrally in thecarrier-block 19. The passage 2S is prolonged beyond thedelivery-passage 29, as shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5, and is provided withan airescape valve 49, which is normally held seated by -a spring 50,but which will be opened automatically to permit the release of air ifthe pressure exceeds the tension of the spring or may be unseated by theoperator, as desired, by the application of hand-power to its stem 51.

The delivery chamber 27 communicates .with a water-Valve chamber 3l, towhich aerated water is supplied from a reservoir through a flexible hose32, communication between the supply-hose 32 and the chamber 31 beingcontrolled by a water-valve 33, fixed upon a vertical stem 34. Thedelivery-passage 29 is enlarged at its lower end to receive the neck ofthe bottle 35, which is to be filled, and, is provided with a rubbergasket or packer 36, which serves to make a tight joint between saidpassage and the bottle while the latter is being filled. A rod 37 passesthrough the delivery-passage 29 and is provided with a IOO hook 38 onits lower end, which engages the loop 39 on the upper end of the wire40, to which the stopper 41 of the bottle is connected. The upper end ofthe rod 37 is coupled by a pin 42 to the cross-bar 20, the pin 42 beingset at an angle with a horizontal plane in the jaw or clevis of the rod,as shown in Fig. S.

The piston or plunger 23 of the syrup-pump is actuated by an arm 43, xedto the crossbar 10 and engaging a strap 44, connected to the piston 23.In order to enable the quantity of syrup delivered by the pump to begraduated as desired, the strap 44 and piston 28 are connected by a pin45, passing through a horizontal slot in the strap, as shown in Fig. 7,and by a pin 46, which is insertible transversely to the pin 45, inholes at different levels in the strap. It will be seen that the nearerthe pin 4G is placed to the pin 45 the greater will be the stroke of thepiston, and vice versa, and that consequently the volume of syrupdelivered at each downward traverse of the piston may be varied withindetermined limits, as desired.

In the operation of the machine the bottle 35, which is to be filled, isplaced upon a removable plate 47 on the bed-plate, or if the bottle beof greater than ordinary size the plate 47 is removed and the bottleplaced in a receptacle 48, projecting downwardly from the bed-plate. Thebottle is set in line axially with the presser 30. The operator thendepresses the treadle 15, and thereby imparts downward movement to theconnected operating-rods 8 S and cross-bar l0. The springs 21, which arenormally compressed by the greater tension of the springs 17, move thecarrier-block 19 downwardly in accordance with the downward movement ofthe operating-rods 8 until the gasket 36 comes in contact with the mouthof the bottle, against which the gasket is pressed, thereby making atight joint while the bottle is being filled. The operator then furtherdepresses the treadle, and the continued downward movement of thecross-bar 10 operates the piston 23 of the syrup-pump, supplying thedesired volume of syrup, and the projection 11 of the cross-bar 10strikes the stem 34 of the watervalve 31, thereby admitting aeratedwater, the supply of which is continued until the bottle is filled. Thenthe cross-bar 10, which is fixed to the operating-rods 8, comes intocontact with the cross-bar 20, which is loose thereon, it moves thelatter downwardly, and

the inclined pin 42 swings the hook outwardly into the position shown inFig. S, so that it will pass the loop 39 of the stopper-wire in itsdownward movement.

Upon the relief of pressure upon the treadle the springs 17 move theoperating-rods 8 upwardly and the springs 21 move the cross-bar 20upwardly, the latter raising, in its movement, the stopper 41, which isconnected by the hook 38 to the rod 37, and bringing the stopper intoposition to close the mouth of the bottle, the cross-bar 20 continuingits movement until arrested by the stop-collars G. The upward movementof the cross-bar 10 releases the pressureof the projection 11 on thestem of the water-valve 33 and the latter is closed by its spring, andsaid movement also raises the piston 23 of the4 syruppump into positionfor the next operation. The continued upward movement of theoperating-rods 8 raises the carrier-block 19, by means of the collars18, and compresses the springs 21, so that they will be under thetension requisite to act on the carrier-block in the next operation, andwhen the crossbar 2O comes into contact with the stop-collars 6 theinclined pin 42 again moves the hook 38 laterallyand releases it fromthe stopper-wire.

Figs. 9 to 13, inclusive, illustrate the essential features of myinvention under such modifications of structural detail as adapt it forapplication in machines of existing constructions. As in the instancefirst described, two operating-rods 8 are fitted to slide vertically inguides 9, fixed upon the table 1, and are connected to a treadle 15 andreturned to normal position by springs 17. The upper ends of theoperating-rods are connected by a cross bar or head 10, which, as in theformer instance, actuates the piston 23 of the syruppump and unseats thewater-valve 33, and also, as will be presently described, forces thestopper 41 into position for closing the bottle 35 after the same hasbeen filled, the cross-bar 2O and hook-ended rod 37 being dispensedwith. The syrup-pump 22, watervalve chamber 31, and presser 30 are, asin the instance first described, connected to and traverse with aearrier-block19, which is fitted freely on the operating-rods 8 andrests on collars 18 fixed thereon.

The spring 21, through which downward movement is imparted to thecarrier-block 19, is fitted in a chamber formed centrally in thecross-bar lO and fitting a central cylindrical projection on thecarrier-block, said spring being thus interposed between and bearing atits ends on the cross-bar and carrier-block, with the same operativeeffect as in the former instance. A rod or stem 37 is fixed to thecross-bar 10 and passes freely through the carrier-block in line axiallywith the deliverypassage 29 thereof, said stem serving in the finalportion of its downward traverse to force the stopper 41, which isfitted in the upper end of said passage, into the neck of the bottle toeffect the closure thereof.

The piston 23 of the syrup-pump is connected with the cross-bar 10, bywhich it is actuated,` through the intermediation of a spring 43C, inorder to admit of a limited degree of further downward traverse of thecross-bar 10 after the piston has been brought to the limit of itsdownward stroke, such further traverse being employed to 4force thestopper 41 to position for closing the bottle.

.To this end the spring 43c is interposed between the bottom wall of thepiston 23 and a IOO lIO

followerplate 43h, which plate is secured upon the lower end of a rod43, the upper end of which is connected to an arm 43 on the crossbar 10.The valve mechanism of the syruppump and its relation to the water-valvechamber 3l and discharge-passage 29 accord in all substantialparticulars with the corresponding features of' the construction firstherein described.

The water-valve 33 is, as in the instance first described, unseated bythe cross-bar 10 in the downward movement of the latter, an interposedmechanism being provided whereby the required further traverse of thecrossbar after the unseating of the valve is permitted wit-hout causingor permitting the closure or reseating of the valve. A mechanismsnitable for this purpose is shown in Figs. 11 and 13, the sameconsisting of a bell-crank or elbow lever 34a, which is journalled in abracket 34h, fixed tothe carrier-block 19, and has its upper arm coupledto the stem 34 of the water-valve 33. The lower arm of the bell-cranklever is coupled to a bar 34C, which is fitted to slide longitudinallyin a guide in the bracket 34 and is jointed to a bar 34, having aninclined end face abutting against a corresponding face on the lower endof a pushing-bar 11, which projects downwardly from the cro'ss bar 10.In the downward traverse of said cross-bar the pushing-bar moves theconnected bars 34d 34C to the left, thereby rocking the bellcrank 34 inits bearings and unseating the water-valve. When the cross-bar 10 hasmade a tra-verse corresponding with the full stroke of the syruppurnppiston, a recess in the face of the pushing-bar 11a is brought oppositethe end of the bar 34d, thereby relieving its pressure on the latter,and the spring of the water-valve thereupon closes said valve. In theupward traverse of the cross-bar 10 the bar 34d is turned upwardlysufficiently far to be released from the recess of the pushing-bar 11ELand thereafter drops by gravity to the normal position shown in Fig. 13.A spring may be added to insure its ret-urn, if desired.

The operation of the machine accords in all substantial particulars withthat of the construction first described. The stopper 41 is fitted inthe upper end of the dischargepassage 29, and the bottle 35 is placedupon the table below and in line axially with said passage. The operatorthen depresses the treadle 15, and the spring 21 being relieved from thetension of the spring 17 forces the carrier-block 19 downwardly, and thepresser 30 on its lower end presses the gasket 36 against the bottle,making a tight joint therewith while it is being filled. Furtherdepression of the treadle and corresponding mrovement of the cross-bar10 actuates the piston of the syrup-pump and unseats the watervalve.When the bottle is filled, the treadle is still further depressed, andthe rod 37a is caused to press upon the stopper 41 and forces it intoclosing position in the neck of the botbalanced lateral strains andattaining the.

most advantageous application of the power of the operator twooperating-rods have been herein described and shown, the essentialfeatures of my invention might without variation of operative principlebe embodied in a construction in which only one operatingrod isemployed, and such a construction I therefore desire to include as amechanical equivalent for that herein set forth and claimed.

My invention presents in practice the substantial advantage of enablingall the movements of the operating members to be effected by the foot ofthe operator instead of, as in prior constructions, requiring him tomanipulate a hand lever or levers in addition thereto. The 4hands of theoperator are consequently left free, and he is enabled to insert andremove the bottles and Stoppers, and the operation of bottling isfacilitated to such an extent that the services of an assistantheretofore required may be dispensed with. The apparatus is of simpleand comparatively-inexpensive constructiomand the working parts are freefrom liability to breakage or derangement in service.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. Thecombination, in a bottling-machine, of two operating-rods, acarrier-block supported freely thereon, awater-valve working in achamber carried by the carrier-block, a cross-bar on the operating-rods,a spring interposed between and bearing on the carrierblock andcross-bar, means carried by the operating-rods for unseatin g thewater-valve, a treadle connected to the operating-rods, and a springacting on the operating-rods in reverse direction to that of theapplication of power to the treadle.

2. The combination, in a bottling-machine, of two operating-rods, acarrier-block supported freely thereon, a syrup-pump carried by thecarrier-block, a cross-bar on the operating-rods, a spring interposedbetween and bearing on the carrier -block and cross-bar, means foractuating the piston of the syruppump by movement of the operating-rods,a treadle connected to the operating-rods, and a spring acting on theoperating-rods in reverse direction to that of the application of powerto the treadle;

3. The combination, in a bottling-machine, of two operating-rods, acarrier-block supported freely thereon, a water-valve and syr- IOO IIO

IIS

up-pump connected to a chamber carried by said block a presser` fixed tothe carrier-block in position to be applied to the mouth of a bottle aconduit connecting said chamber and presser, a cross-bar on theoperatingrods, a spring interposed between and bearing on thecarrierblock and cross bar, a treadle connected to the operating-rods,and a spring acting on the operating-rods in reverse direction to thatof the application of power to the treadle.

l. The combination, in a bottling-machine, of two operating-rods, acarrier-block snpported freely thereon, a presser fixed to thecarrier-block in position to be applied to the neck of the bottle, asyrup-pump and watervalve supported by the carrier-block and connectedto said presser a cross-bar on the operating-rods, a spring interposedbetween and bearing on the carrier-block and crossbar, a rod, actuatedby the cross-bar, for fixing a stopperin position in a bottle, atreadleconnected to the operating-rods, and aspring acting on theoperating-rods in reverse direction to that of the application of powerto the treadle.

5. The combination, in a bottling-machine, of two operating-rods, acarrier-block supported freely thereon, a water-valve working in achamber carried by the carrier-block, a syrup-pump connected to thecarrier-block,

valves controlling communication between the watervalve chamber andsyrup -pump and a common discharge or delivery passage, a cross-bar on-the'operating-rods, a spring interposed between and bearing on thecarrier-block and cross-bar, means for unseating the water-valve bymovement of the operating-rods, means for actuating the syruppump bymovement of the operating-rods, a treadle connected to theoperating-rods, and a spring acting on the operating-rods in reversedirect-ion to that of the application of power to the treadle.

6. The combination, in a bottling-machine, of two operating-rods, acarrier-block supported freely thereon, a treadle connected to andadapted to impart downward movement to the operating-rods, a springconnected to and adapted to impart upward movement to theoperating-rods, a water-valve workingin a chamber carried by thecarrier-block, a syrup-pump connected to the carrier-block, valvescontrolling communication between the water-valve chamber and syrup-pumpand a common discharge or delivery passage, a presser fixed to thecarrier-block in position to be applied to the neck of a bottle, a rodfor fixing a stopper in position in a bottlc, a cross-bar on theoperating-rods, a spring interposed between and bearing on thecarrier-block and cross-bar, and means foractuating the water-valve, thesyrup-pump piston, and the stopper-fixing rod by the movement of theoperating-rods, these members being combined for joint operation toIirst close the joint between the delivery-passage and presser and themouth of a bottle, to thereafter charge the bottle with aerated waterand syrup, to thereafter fix the stopper in the bottle, and tothereafter release the presser from the bottle.

7. The combination, in a bottling-machine, of two operating-rods, acarrier-block supported freely thereon, a syrup-pump carried by thecarrier-block, a cross-bar on the operating-rods, a spring interposedbetween and bearing on the carrier-block and cross-bar, means foractuating the piston of the syruppump by movement of the operating-bars,means for varying the length of stroke of the piston of the syrup-pump,a treadle connected to the operating-rods, and a spring acting on theoperating -rods in reverse direction to that of the application of powerto the treadle.

8. The combination, in a bottling-machine, of two operating-rods, acarrier-block supported freely thereon, a presser xed to thecarrier-block in position to be applied to the mouth of a bottle, across bar or head fixed to the operating-rods, a cross-bar fittingfreely on the operating-rods between the fixed crossbar and thecarrier-block, fixed stops against which said freely-fitting cross-barnormally abuts, a spring interposed between and bearing on thefreely-Iittin g cross-bar and the carrier-block, a rod passing freelythrough the carrier-block and presser and having a hook on its lower endto engage the wire of a bottle-stopper, and a pin coupling said rod tothe freely-fitting cross-bar, 'said pin being set at an angle to ahorizontal plane and passing through a horizontal opening of greaterdiameter in said cross-bar.

9. The combination, in a bottling-machine, of a carrier-block, having adelivery or discharge passage and a presser surrounding the lower end ofsaid passage, a syrup-pump and a water-valve chamber, each provided witha connection for a flexible hose and fixed to the carrier-block, a valvecontrolling communication between the Ahose connection of thewater-chamber and the delivery-passage, an inlet-valve controllingcommunication between the hose connection of the syrup-pump and thecylinder thereof, and an outlet-valve controlling communication betweenthe cylinder of the syrup-pump and the deliverypassage.

PATRICK XV. SI-IIELDS.

iVitnesses:

J. SNowDEN BELL, CLARENCE A. WILLIAMS.

IOO

